Declan Rice scored two brilliant free kicks to put Arsenal in sturdy control over their quarterfinals of the Champions League against Real Madrid, with Mikel Arteta happy with the midfielder
Mikel Arteta lagged unbelieving after Declan Rice scored two beautiful free kicks to help Arsenal Real Madrid 3-0. De Gunners organized Los Blancos on Tuesday evening in the first stage of their quarterfinals of Champions League.
Both parties had countless chances, but the draw remained on the way to the 58th minute. Rice then stepped up to deliver a brilliant free kick, his shot around the wall of Madrid and in the net to bend to make Arsenal forward.
He then stepped up again with 20 minutes to go and somehow succeeded in improving his first strike. This time he hit the ball over the wall and shot in the opposite top corner, with Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois left helplessly.
Rice was celebrated by jumping on the advertising hamsters to enjoy the admiration of the crowd. The Amazon Prime cameras then showed a repeat of the reaction of Arteta on the sidelines.
The Gunners first raised his fists to party before he turned around and kept his arms in disbelief. Arteta was then collected by his back room staff while they celebrated.
Captain Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber could also be seen with their hands on their heads in the aftermath of the goal. Mikel Merino would quickly set Arsenal three goals to help them take the solid control over the quarter -final collision.
Rice was forced by injury with 10 minutes to go, with Kieran Tierney replacing him. The international of England was praised for his husband of the competition performance by the legend Alan Shearer from Newcastle.
“You thought the first was impressive? Goodness me. The accuracy, power, the bend and control on it. Thibaut Courtois left a big gap because he thought he would go over the wall. It just sensational. Courtois is nowhere in the neighborhood, “he told Amazon Prime.
“It is absolutely incredible. If you remove the two goals from Declan Rice, his performance back to front was so impressive – his tackling, his moving forward with the ball.
“What a position Arsenal has now applied. They have been so impressive in this second half. They have done everything well. They have been sensational and they deserve to be in this position.”
Former England defender Matt Upson also lagged unbelieving about Rice's efforts, with his first goal as the first direct free kick he has ever scored in his career.
“Unbelievable. I don't think someone expected that would happen. Why not? Because the first was an absolute screamer and you think he can't beat that,” Upson told BBC Sport.
“This free kick is absolutely fantastic. It has bent. It has strength. Questions about the wall of Real Madrid, but it is such a beautiful free kick in the stamp. What a brilliant double free kick special from Declan Rice.”
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